Years ago, my best friend killed himself. I remember what I went through back then, and I know that the hurt never completely heals.

That's why I find any and all attempts to cynically exploit the suffering of suicide survivors to be utterly reprehensible and unforgivable.

This brings us the the case of the suicide of Marie Osmond's gay son at the age of 17. It was obvious at the time of his death that he was gay, from the general circumstances and the efforts to cover up why he killed himself. Media reports are starting to get out that he was gay, but those of us in the queer community knew this from the very day he died.

Certainly, there have been statements from his friends that he wasn't gay. They probably believe this, but no queer would take this as fact. It is excruciatingly unlikely that a gay teenager who was traumatized by being raised in such a disgustingly hostile environment as the Mormon hate church would be ready to come out to his friends at age 17. The sad thing is that his friends really don't know the real reason why he killed himself and seem unable to accept it.

Ms. Osmond has sent mixed signals about homosexuality for sure. She has gotten good publicity for statements supportive of her lesbian daughter. However, by staying in the Mormon Church, Ms. Osmond also sent a blatantly clear message that she hates her daughter and wants her dead. This is a church that still rails against homosexuality and still uses electric shock to torture queer youth.

No good parent would raise a queer child, or any child for that matter, in the cesspool of bigotry, hatred, lies, and filth that makes up Mormonism. Raising queer youth as Mormon is a form of child abuse, no ifs, no ands, no buts, and no excuses.

Marie Osmond: It's your fault your son is dead. I hope you are filled with guilt and misery for the rest of your life for what you have done to your own flesh and blood.

What I find truly astonishing and offensive is that some bigots are exploiting what I and other suicide survivors have been through in order to defend a monster like Marie Osmond. No time is like the present for speaking out against the deadly consequences of Mormonism. Don't you dare use what I've been through for such sinister and exploitative reasons.

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As you know, I have a lesbian daughter, now 22 and married to a wonderful wife, who came out at around age 16. It was enough that so many of her friends rejected her, her boyfriend physically and emotionally hurt her, and that she had a first bipolar episode for her to want to kill herself. If I had gone along with a church like the Mormons, even while loving my daughter, it would have put her over the top. She would've done it and I would've helped.

You are right on. I may need to post about this on my blog. It really hit home.

Fuck me, this is harsh! I am very rarely shocked but this post has done it.

I am really sorry you lost your best friend to suicide. I am also sorry that Michael Bryan (Blosil)'s family and friends have lost him to suicide.

It is not Marie Osmond's fault that her son commited suicide, although as his mother she will naturally feel this and will also feel the guilt and misery you wish on her. Sadly Michael took his own life and if you feel the need to apportion blame then that goes to him.

earwicga: Children aren't responsible for the environments that their parents raise them in. You aren't making any sense at all.

Any parent who raises a queer youth in a homophobic church is obviously responsible if that child kills himself or herself. Raising children as Mormons is child abuse. If anything, this post goes way too easy on Marie Osmond.